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Finding the Right rings for You
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.
- What is 14K gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024The term 14K gold, or 14-karat gold, refers to a type of gold alloy. The term alloy means a metal made of two or more base metals. In the case of 14-karat gold, 58.5% of the content is pure gold, and the remaining 41.5% is alloy metal. Due to the strength of the metal, many jewelry makers use 14-karat gold in their pieces. Find a wide variety of 14-karat gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
- What does 14K earrings mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023The term "14K earrings" means a pair of earrings that feature 14-karat white, yellow or rose gold. To be labeled 14-karat, a gold alloy must consist of 14 parts gold and 10 parts base metal. This means that 58.3% of the alloy is gold, and 41.7% consists of other metals. Find a wide range of gold earrings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023Whether a wedding band should be 14K or 18K depends on your personal preferences. Because it contains more pure gold, 18-karat gold will usually show off a richer color and be less likely to fade over time. On the other hand, 14-karat gold is less prone to scratching and damage because it has more alloy metals. Explore a large collection of gold wedding bands on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024The difference between 10K and 14K gold is how much of the metal's content is pure gold versus alloy metal. 14K gold is 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% alloy, while 10K gold is 41.7% pure gold and 58.3% alloy. Due to the increased amount of alloy metal, 10K gold tends to be stronger than 14K. On the other hand, the increased gold content of 14K gives the metal a richer color and a generally higher value. Explore a large collection of gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Is 14K gold good for earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Yes, 14k gold can be good for earrings. The precious metal is rich in color, making it an appealing choice for jewelry. It is also durable and reasonably priced compared to 18-karat gold. The biggest downside to 14-karat gold earrings is that they contain a larger percentage of base metals than 18-karat and may be more likely to cause sensitivity reactions in some people as a result. Explore a large selection of gold earrings on 1stDibs.
- Are 14K gold earrings good?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023Yes, 14-karat gold earrings can be good. One of the biggest benefits of 14-karat gold is that the base metal content provides added strength, helping earrings resist scratching and damage. The downside to 14-karat gold is that its color often isn't as rich as purer alloys like 18- and 22-karat gold. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of gold earrings.
- Is 14K gold okay for earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023Yes, 14K gold is okay for earrings. In fact, many people opt for earrings crafted out of 14-karat gold. This type of gold is 53.8% pure gold and 41.7% alloy. The high content of base metals makes 14-karat gold strong enough to resist scratches, so earrings made from the precious metal can hold up to the effects of daily wear. Shop a diverse assortment of 14-karat gold earrings on 1stDibs.
- Is 14k solid gold real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024Yes, 14k solid gold is real. However, it is not pure gold. The term 14-karat describes gold, which is 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% alloy metal. Adding alloy metal helps to make the gold more resistant to wear and tear. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of 14k gold jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023The difference between 14K and 18K white gold stud earrings comes down to the content of the precious metal alloy. Stud earrings made of 14-karat white gold are 58.3% gold and 41.7% base metal, while 18-karat gold is 75% pure gold and 25% other metals. As a result, 14-karat white gold tends to be stronger and more resistant to scratching, and 18-karat gold will have a more noticeable warm-glowing yellow tinge. On 1stDibs, shop a range of white gold stud earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024There is no standard for how much a 14K gold rope chain should weigh. The thickness of the chain will contribute to its weight, since thicker pieces have more mass than thinner ones. In addition, the length of the chain will impact how much it weighs, with longer chains generally weighing more than shorter ones of the same thickness. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of gold chains.
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